Reybier adds Provence winery to his portfolio

Illustrating the pulling power of Provence, Cos d’Estournel’s owner, Michel Reybier, has acquired organic estate Château La Mascaronne for an undisclosed sum.

Tom Bove has managed Château La Mascaronne since 1999

Situated in the medieval village of Le Luc, a commune in the Var department in Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, Château La Mascaronne spans 100 hectares, 60 of which are planted with vines on chalk/clay soils above sedimentary limestone.

The estate has been certified organic since 2016. In addition to rosé, La Mascaronne has carved a niche for the quality of its complex, ageworthy, dark fruited reds.

“I was won over by the quality of the wines and the potential of La Mascaronne’s terroir, which benefits from the remarkable effort of restoration carried out in the vineyard by Tom Bove for 20 years,” Reybier said of the acquisition.

“Seduced by this extraordinary site, which embodies the soul and charm of Provence, I will continue to highlight this terroir in a quest for excellence common to all of my wine estates,” he added.

Bove has managed the estate since 1999. He also managed neighbouring property Chateau Miraval before it was sold to Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie.

During his time at La Mascaronne, Bove has overseen the renovation of the chateau, its cellars and vineyards.

The estate’s winemaker, Nathalie Longefay, hails from Beaujolais. She currently produces six wines: a white from old vine Ugni Blanc and Rolle; a Syrah/Mourvèdre red blend; a rosé made from Cinsault and Grenache; an oak fermented Rolle; a Syrah/Cabernet blend; and an oak aged rosé made from a secret blend of grapes.

In addition to Bordeaux second growth Cos d’Estournel, Reybier owns Champagne Jeeper, Hétszölö in Hungary’s Tokaj region, and the La Reserve boutique hotel group, which has properties in Paris, Provence, Geneve and Zurich.

He is not alone in his interest in owning a winery in Provence. In the past year there have been four high profile acquisitions in the region, with a Provence pink now seen as a must-have in any wine portfolio worth its salt.

Last May, luxury goods giant LVMH snapped up Château Galoupet in Côtes de Provence for an undisclosed sum.

Five months later, Chanel added to its already enviable wine portfolio, which includes Canon in Saint- Émilion and Rauzan-Ségla in Margaux, with the purchase of Domaine de l’Île on the crescent-shaped island of Porquerolles in Provence.

Last December, LVMH took a 55% stake in Sacha Lichine’s Château d’Esclans, maker of the wildly successful Whispering Angel brand, along with Garrus, which long held the crown as the world’s most expensive still rosé.

Capping off the recent acquisitions, in May, Château Bas in Aix en Provence was acquired by Ficbal, the holding company owned by Catherine Castéja and her children, Charlotte Lafourcade Jumenbo, Hubert Castéja and Frédéric Castéja.